This title is a bit presumptuous.  Because this boy likes trains, I tend to think all boys do.  I also think all boys like watching big construction projects.  Of course some girls and some women like them too while some boys and men don’t like them.  Basically, this boy likes trains.  I probably haven’t covered all my bases, but I tried.

Out for a ride on a gorgeous day, after several days of it being “too hot” or “looking like rain”–which is really short-hand for my laziness–I came upon a scene which gave me pause to smile.

I heard the sound of the train before I saw it.  Maybe I heard the sound of the train crossing rather than the actual train.  When I confirmed visually that I was approaching a train crossing the road in front of me, I got that little buzz of excitement.  This was followed by the rationalization that by the time I got to the crossing, the train would most likely be gone.

I pedaled onward wondering if I should put all out sprint power into my legs.  While I really couldn’t do that, I did climb into a few higher gears and increase my cadence.  I didn’t really think I would make the train, but a part of me hoped I would.  The bike sounds grew louder in response to my efforts.  The whirring of the rear cassette  and the sound of the spokes cutting through the air was magical.  Cars approached and passed me, but I joked to myself that this was all in vain.  They  would all definitely get stopped where the tracks intercepted the road we were on.

Unbelievably, when I took my place behind the line of cars, there were 40 or 50 tank cars, box cars, and auto-racks still to appear.  I caught the show I thought I was going to miss.  The little boy inside of me cheered.  He knew it was Today’s Perfect Moment.